City to provide $5m in grocery vouchers to low-income families

Low-income families will receive grocery vouchers in a move that the City hopes will alleviate economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Jenny Durkan announced the plan today, which will provide $800 vouchers to 6,250 eligible families who are currently enrolled in City-supported childcare programs and food assistance programs. The Safeway vouchers are to be used for groceries, cleaning supplies, and other household goods. They’ll be distributed in $400 installments, and will be sent out by mail as early as this week.

“We know that working families in Seattle are already struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As schools and child care facilities close, we need to do everything we can to support families and ensure they can put food on the table,” said Mayor Durkan said. “Our city has been working on many new unprecedented efforts as it relates to housing assistance, meals, and small businesses, but we know it is not enough for the families struggling. Ultimately, we will need an unprecedented relief package from Congress to address the long-term consequences for working people who are already feeling the impact of this global pandemic.”

The vouchers will not cover tobacco, alcohol, lottery tickets, or fuel.

Other relief programs implemented in the past week include deferring utility payments and a temporary moratorium on residential evictions, to provide relief for working people financially impacted by COVID-19.